Missile Composites Market

Missile Composites Market

Missile Composites Market
Report code - SRAD150 Published On : Apr,2025 No. of Pages: 120
Missile Composites Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth O See more...

Missile Composites Market Insights

“The global missile composites market value was US$ 121.6 million in 2024 and is likely to grow at a decent CAGR of 6.2% in the long run to reach US$ 202.1 million in 2032.”

Missile Composites Market Size & Forecast

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Introduction

Missile Composite refers to advanced composite materials used in the construction of missile components, such as fuselage, composite tanks, fins, and guidance systems. These composites, typically made of carbon fiber, glass fiber, ceramic, or aramid fibers combined with a resin matrix, are chosen for their high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and resistance to extreme temperatures, corrosion, and fatigue.

Missile Composites Market Drivers

The market for missile composites is expanding rapidly, driven by global defense modernization, increasing military conflicts, and rising investments in next-generation weapons. As global defense budgets rise, especially in regions like North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, countries are investing more in missile defense systems, including precision-guided missiles, hypersonic weapons, and anti-ballistic missiles. These advanced missile systems require high-performance materials, driving the demand for missile composites. Modern missiles require materials that offer lightweight strength, aerodynamic efficiency, and heat resistance—all of which are characteristics of composite materials. Composites contribute to the missile’s performance by reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity and heat resistance, which is crucial for high-speed and long-range missile systems.

Segments' Analysis

Segmentations

List of Sub-Segments

Dominant and Fastest-Growing Segments

Material-Type Analysis

Carbon Composite Materials, Glass Composite Materials, Aramid Composite Materials, and Ceramic Composite Materials

Carbon composite materials are anticipated to remain the most dominant material type for missiles in the years to come.

Missile-Type Analysis

Ballistic Missile and Cruise Missile

The ballistic missile is likely to be the major demand generator for composite materials during the forecast period.

Range-Type Analysis

Short Range, Medium Range, and Long Range

Long-range missiles are likely to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period.

Application-Type Analysis

Fuselage, Composite Tank, Radome, and Other Applications

Fuselage is estimated to be the dominant application of the market in the coming years.

Regional Analysis

North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World

North America is expected to remain the largest market over the years, whereas Asia-Pacific is likely to grow at the fastest rate.

Material Insights

Carbon composite materials are expected to maintain their dominance as the primary material type for missiles in the coming years.

Based on material type, the missile composite is segmented into carbon composite materials, glass composite materials, aramid composite materials, and ceramic composite materials.

Carbon composite materials are expected to remain the most dominant material type for missiles due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, high durability, and resistance to extreme environmental conditions. These materials are crucial for missile performance, as they significantly reduce the overall weight of the missile while maintaining structural integrity, which is essential for high-speed flight and long-range capabilities. Additionally, carbon composites offer excellent thermal resistance, which is critical for missiles that experience intense heat during launch and flight. Their fatigue resistance and ability to withstand high-impact forces make them ideal for the demanding environments missiles operate in. Furthermore, carbon composites are highly corrosion-resistant, ensuring long-term reliability and performance in various weather conditions. As missile technology Carbon composite materials are expected to remain the most dominant material type for missiles due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, high durability, and resistance to extreme environmental conditions. These materials are crucial for missile performance, as they significantly reduce the overall weight of the missile while maintaining str continues to advance, particularly with the development of precision-guided, hypersonic, and long-range missile systems, the demand for lightweight, high-performance materials like carbon composites will continue to grow, reinforcing their dominance in the market.

Missile Insights

“Ballistic missile is expected to remain the dominant, whereas cruise missiles will be the fastest-growing missile of the market.”

Based on the missile type, the market is segmented into ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Ballistic missiles are likely to hold the major share of the missile market during the forecast period due to their widespread use, strategic importance, and ongoing technological advancements aimed at improving their range, speed, and payload capacity. For instance, DRDO was able to increase the range of the Agni-5 missile beyond 7,000 km by replacing steel with composites. Ballistic missiles, which are launched into a high arc and then descend towards their target, require materials that can withstand intense aerodynamic forces and high-speed reentry conditions. The increasing focus on enhancing the range and payload of ballistic missiles has driven the demand for advanced composite materials, which provide the necessary strength-to-weight ratio and heat resistance.

Application Insights

Fuselage is expected to maintain its dominant position in the market throughout the forecast period and is projected to experience the highest growth between 2025 and 2032.”

In terms of application type, the market is segmented into fuselage, composite tank, radome, and other applications. The fuselage is expected to maintain its dominant position in the missile market and experience the highest growth from 2025 to 2032 due to its critical role in ensuring the overall performance, strength, and durability of missile systems.

The fuselage serves as the central structure that houses and supports key components such as the payload, guidance systems, and propulsion units. Composites are increasingly used to create strong, lightweight structural components like frames, heat shields, fins, and control surfaces, which must endure the high stresses and temperatures experienced during missile flights. These materials offer the necessary strength-to-weight ratio and thermal resistance required for missiles to perform efficiently at high speeds and extreme altitudes. Some examples of missiles that utilize carbon composites for their fuselage include the AGM-129 ACM (Advanced Cruise Missile), AIM-9X Sidewinder, AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile), RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, and Astra BVRAAM.

Regional Insights

“North America is anticipated to maintain its position as the largest market for missile composite materials throughout the forecast period.”

North America is the largest market for missile composite materials due to its well-established defense infrastructure, significant investments in advanced military technologies, and a strong presence of major aerospace and defense manufacturers. The United States, in particular, has the largest defense budget globally, driving continuous development and deployment of sophisticated missile systems. The U.S. military's heavy reliance on high-performance composite materials in missiles for enhanced range, accuracy, and durability further solidifies North America's dominance. Major missile systems, such as the Trident II D5 and AGM-88 HARM, extensively use composite materials, contributing to the region's market leadership.

On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for missile composites due to the region's rapid military modernization, rising defense budgets, and increasing investments in indigenous missile technology. Countries like China, India, and Japan are significantly enhancing their defense capabilities, including the development of advanced missile systems like hypersonic weapons and long-range ballistic missiles. The growing emphasis on strengthening national security and regional influence, coupled with technological advancements, makes Asia-Pacific the fastest-growing market for missile composites in the coming years.

Missile Composites Market by Region

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Key Players

The market is highly consolidated with a handful of players securing a lion’s share. Most of the major players compete in some of the governing factors, including price, product offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the missile composite materials market.

Here is the list of the Top Players (Based on Dominance)

  • Hexcel Corporation

  • Syensqo S.A.

  • Toray industries, Inc.

  • Gurit

  • Owens Corning

  • Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation

  • DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

  • SGL Carbon SE

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

Are you the leading player in this market? We would love to include your name. Please write to us at [email protected]

Recent Developments of Missile Composites Market

Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:

A considerable number of strategic alliances, including M&As, JVs, etc., have been performed over the past few years:

  • In 2018, Toray Industries acquired TenCate Advanced Composites to accelerate growth, expand its high-performance composite offering, and leverage synergies by combining TenCate's product lineup with Toray's carbon fiber and polymer technologies, particularly in areas like space, defense, and heat-resistant applications.

  • In May 2018, Hexcel Corporation formed a joint venture with the Chinese aerospace parts manufacturer, Future Aerospace, to establish a materials testing lab in Shanghai, China, called Future Aerospace Hexcel Commercial Composite Testing Limited (FAHCCT).

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

  • Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

  • Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

  • Market trend and forecast analysis.

  • Market segment trend and forecast.

  • Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.

  • COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.

  • Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

  • Emerging trends.

  • Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

  • Key success factors.

Market Segmentation

The missile composites market is segmented into the following categories:

By Material Type

  • Carbon Composite Materials

  • Glass Composite Materials

  • Aramid Composite Materials

  • Ceramic Composite Materials

By Missile Type

  • Ballistic Missile

  • Cruise Missile

By Range Type

  • Short Range

  • Medium Range

  • Long Range

By Application Type

  • Fuselage

  • Composite Tank

  • Radome

  • Other Applications

By Region

  • North America

  • Europe

  • Asia-Pacific

  • Rest of the World

Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s missile composites market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruit available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted 10 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respected clients:

Company Profiling

  • Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)

  • SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

  • Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across industries. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Composite material is a combination of two or more materials, typically a matrix and a reinforcement, creating a material with enhanced strength, durability, and lightweight properties. Missile composite refers to composite materials used in missile components, such as fuselages and airframes, to improve performance by reducing weight, increasing strength, and withstanding extreme temperatures and stresses during flight.

The missile composites market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.2%, driven by the market size estimated at US$ 202.1 million in 2032. The missile composite market is driven by several key factors, including the increasing demand for advanced missile systems, the need for lightweight and durable materials to improve missile performance, and the growing focus on enhancing missile range, speed, and accuracy. The development of next-generation technologies, such as hypersonic missiles and precision-guided systems, further fuels the demand for composite materials due to their ability to withstand extreme temperatures, stresses, and fatigue. Additionally, rising defense budgets and military modernization programs in regions like North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe contribute to the growth of the missile composite market, as countries invest in cutting-edge missile technologies.

North America holds the largest market share in the missile composite market due to its well-established defense industry, significant defense spending, and technological advancements in missile systems. The U.S., with its leading defense budget and a strong presence of aerospace and defense manufacturers, drives the demand for high-performance missile composites. The region's continuous investment in the development of advanced missile technologies, including ballistic and hypersonic missiles, further strengthens its dominant position in the market. North America's established military infrastructure, technological expertise, and investment in innovation ensure its continued dominance.

Asia-Pacific is experiencing the highest market growth for missile composites due to rapid military modernization, rising defense budgets, and the increasing development of advanced missile technologies in countries like China, India, and Japan. These nations are heavily investing in the development of next-generation missile systems, including hypersonic and long-range missiles, which require advanced composite materials for enhanced performance. The region's growing focus on strengthening national defense capabilities, coupled with technological advancements and expanding defense industries, is driving the demand for high-performance missile composites, making Asia-Pacific the fastest-growing market.

Hexcel Corporation, Syensqo S.A., and Toray Industries, Inc. are the leading players in the missile composite materials market.

The fuselage is estimated to be the dominant application type in the missile composites market during the forecast period due to its critical role in providing structural integrity and housing key components of the missile, such as guidance systems and payloads. Composites, particularly carbon fibers, are widely used in fuselages because they offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, which is essential for ensuring missile performance, especially in high-speed and long-range systems. Additionally, composites provide superior thermal resistance and fatigue resistance, which are crucial for withstanding the extreme conditions during missile flight, including high temperatures and stresses.